The Roy Hodgson Thread

[Tes]

Di Matteo - ok, who's having a laugh.  I wouldn't have the lad making the half time cuppa, nevermind being our boss.

Di Matteo Albion are up to fourth.  Trust me, Dude, he will be an incredibly highly sought after manager within 5 years. 
He won't go the way of Roberto Martínez, after leaving Swansea for Wigan. 

[the dude abides]

He's okay against some of the slower teams. His judgement and positional play can compensate for tiring legs. He never was the fastest anyway. Trouble is, spotting the likes of Hyppia isn't easy.

Carra was always a tad too slow.  And for my money, was definitely done 2 seasons ago.

Do you watch England games? Stevie still has it when playing for England.

I feel the opposite, ASI.  He has been shockingly bad for england in games of any note.

What ever happened to the new manager bounce? We never saw it which suggests he can't inspire players.

I suspect it goes much deeper than just Roy.

We all know defence is a major problem area.

But midfield is also a major issue.

There are two types of midfielder which gave us strength these past 10 years.  One is the type that can protect the back four - who sits in front of them.  Didi Hamann and then the argie lad did that well.  The other key midfielder is the one who has a wide range of passing ability.  Both key positions are of a specialist nature and require good positional and tactical awareness.  Gerrard fits neither.

Having lost the Monster and Alonso, our midfield is shot.  We have now neither a top defensive midfielder, nor a pass-master. 

Allied to the problems in defence, this is why we have been struggling.

With a malfunctioning offence, we are averaging less than a goal per game........simply not good enough.

[the dude abides]

Di Matteo Albion are up to fourth.  Trust me, Dude, he will be an incredibly highly sought after manager within 5 years. 
He won't go the way of Roberto Martínez, after leaving Swansea for Wigan.

think back to kenny getting the job in the 80s.......we both agree that we needed an older experienced boss (we both agree on bobby robson).

in 15 years, if di matteo is still a successful manager, then he could be a contender then.

in that same vein of thought, perhaps this is a good moment to mention the experienced Guus Hiddink.   

[Tes]

think back to kenny getting the job in the 80s.......we both agree that we needed an older experienced boss (we both agree on bobby robson).

in 15 years, if di matteo is still a successful manager, then he could be a contender then.

in that same vein of thought, perhaps this is a good moment to mention the experienced Guus Hiddink.   

I'm not touting DM for the post just yet, maybe when Pellegrini leaves. 

And as for Guus, I hear he's only got two payments left on his funeral plan. 

[the dude abides]

I'm not touting DM for the post just yet, maybe when Pellegrini leaves. 

And as for Guus, I hear he's only got two payments left on his funeral plan. 

     I heard that there's life left yet in his mobility scooter's batteries yet.

[the dude abides]

yehaaaa.

we now go 6th, europe beckons.  Roy for mayor of liverpool and freedom to walk his sheep in the city.

we kicked sand in big sam's face.

[wittsy]

That was a better performance but to be honest Bburn didn't do alot until the 60/70 minute mark.  Should be a confidense boost for the lads though and a good win (should have had a penalty too).

Maybe a life line for Roy but I think the next two prem games will be a real test, Bolton away will be no easy task and Chelsea are in top form. Lets see how things go from here.

Meireles, Kyriakos and even Torres all looked good and a few others started to show their colours. hopefully it will continue from here.

Jas

[Ageing Stick Insect]

Carra was always a tad too slow.  And for my money, was definitely done 2 seasons ago.

This will probably be his last season. You can't blame him for poor performances. I'm sure he always does his best even if it falls short of what is required.

I feel the opposite, ASI.  He has been shockingly bad for england in games of any note.

Funny. His performances in Euro2012 qualifiers have been good especially when he was captain. But I won't try to persuade you as you have a unmoveable opinion on him.

I suspect it goes much deeper than just Roy.

We all know defence is a major problem area.

Of course it does. You have to keep clean sheets and even today we couldn't manage it against feeble opposition. But it needs money so hopefully that will be forthcoming in January. Until then all you can do is do the best with what you have available.

But midfield is also a major issue.

There are two types of midfielder which gave us strength these past 10 years.  One is the type that can protect the back four - who sits in front of them.  Didi Hamann and then the argie lad did that well.  The other key midfielder is the one who has a wide range of passing ability.  Both key positions are of a specialist nature and require good positional and tactical awareness.  Gerrard fits neither.

Gerrard is still a good passer but is best when running on to balls from a deep position. That's where he excels and this time my opinion is unmoveable. But he needs help. On that I will agree with you. radio5Live reported that Alonso is struggling to play regularly at RM and Jan Molby suggested maybe we could get him on loan. Don't hold your breath.

Having lost the Monster and Alonso, our midfield is shot.  We have now neither a top defensive midfielder, nor a pass-master.

We had two of the best in the world and those type of players don't grow on trees so it will be difficult to firstly identify them and second, to pay for them.

Allied to the problems in defence, this is why we have been struggling.

With a malfunctioning offence, we are averaging less than a goal per game........simply not good enough.

Plus a distinct lack of confidence. Sitting back at 2-1 up today and getting nervous. We should have had 2 up front from the start and been 3-0 up at HT. There wouldn't be any nervousness then!

A major outlay of cash is required next summer but also some purchases in Jan. I suggest a creative midfielder. It's okay to concede goals providing you score more.

[the dude abides]

Funny. His performances in Euro2012 qualifiers have been good especially when he was captain. But I won't try to persuade you as you have a unmoveable opinion on him.  Gerrard is still a good passer but is best when running on to balls from a deep position.

   ASI, we will never agree on gerrard.

at any major championship with england he struggles......this summer was the same.  I thought he and england's other over-rated primadonnas were atrocious.

yes, come the new year, we gotta bring in some major talent. 

I think Mereless could come good.  He just needs time.  And Lucas would look much better if the giant shadow of gerrard didn't loom over him (and his colleagues).  But the shadow now is dimming....the kryptonite is fading fast.  It is not disimmilar to the fading of bryan robson at old trafford....and their league title success when he faded.

But we both agree - we need a top manager and soon.  I don't want Roy spending our cash come January.

[Juan]

radio5Live reported that Alonso is struggling to play regularly at RM and Jan Molby suggested maybe we could get him on loan. Don't hold your breath.

Im not sure what Real games Jan Molby has been watching because as far as Im aware he played 90 minutes last night, he seems to play any game I see and has had some storming games.

Ive heard stories that himself and Mourinho dont get along but Ive yet to see evidence of that

[Martinmarx]

Indeed the performance of the season this far.  A true reflection of the run of play and chances would've seen us win 4-1 or something like that. Still it's obvious teams struggling with form and confidence have a hard time scoring no matter how good chances they create. Look at ManU who really really were lucky to win that game based on what they produced.

Before the game I called Maxi less nice names, only to see him have a cracking game and was arguably our best player in the first half. Gerrard was sublime, and Meireles got better by every minute. Hey, even Lucas looked average for crying out loud.

We shouldn't get carried away tho, but it is inspiring and comforting to know we have this kind of quality in us. We just need to keep working with this passion and committment and the goals will come a tad more easily I hope.

Very very well done, red men! 

[Tes]

Plus a distinct lack of confidence. Sitting back at 2-1 up today and getting nervous. We should have had 2 up front from the start and been 3-0 up at HT. There wouldn't be any nervousness then!

As you say ASI, sitting back on a lead, and displaying nervousness is all symptomatic of a team low on confidence and with the way we've been defensively this season, lacking in belief that they could see out the game.
Still we'd have taken a win before kick off. Let's hope this starts to rebuild the confidence and belief.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

Im not sure what Real games Jan Molby has been watching because as far as Im aware he played 90 minutes last night, he seems to play any game I see and has had some storming games.

Ive heard stories that himself and Mourinho dont get along but Ive yet to see evidence of that

Yes, I don't know where Jan got that from but it came as a surprise to me too. Perhaps if was just wishful thinking.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

As you say ASI, sitting back on a lead, and displaying nervousness is all symptomatic of a team low on confidence and with the way we've been defensively this season, lacking in belief that they could see out the game.
Still we'd have taken a win before kick off. Let's hope this starts to rebuild the confidence and belief.

Tes, I've just watched the game on MoTD2 and it was unrecognisable from the Everton game. Pace, men running into space and snappy passing. Just like the old days towards the end of the 08/09 season.

Perhaps Roy has been reading some websites - perhaps this one - and realising he can't continue with the same system that is clearly unsuited to these players.

I know Blackburn were without Samba and their centre half but to counter that Robinson made 3 excellent saves in the first half and with better finishing Meirles would have opened his account and Maxi would have added to his.

Understandable perhaps that they got nervous in the last 15 minutes given the nature of Blackburn's goal and the league position. 3 points now seperate us from 7th placed Sunderland. The away game at Bolton is absolutely crucial. We have got to win it for several reasons not least the enormous boost it would have on the players.

I don't ever remember seeing such a compressed table before. Bolton won't be easy but if they are allowed to play with the same freedom as today then there's every reason to be optimistic. Hopefully Roy will see that too. And with no game this week time perhaps for some team bonding in the Lake District. Didn't do Everton any harm!

[Tes]

     I heard that there's life left yet in his mobility scooter's batteries yet.

He's wearing the right 'colours' at least. Isn't that Mike Kelly?